Guernsey’s Development Control team is launching a new, more streamlined procedure for providing pre-application advice.
The pre-application process will remain as a free of charge service providing advice and guidance prior to the submission of a planning application on all types of development.
This is including, but not limited to, exemptions queries, larger scale projects such as replacement dwellings and works to protected buildings.
However, while the benefits of pre-application engagement will remain, pre-application enquiries will now be required to submit certain details at the time of making the enquiry.
This change will in the majority of cases omit the need to request additional information and allow officers to provide a more useful and in-depth response.
In addition, the new process will allow officers to tailor responses according to the complexity of the projects. While meetings with Planning Officers will still be available, these will be tailored to the schemes that require more in-depth advice at the initial stage.
Responses by telephone and email will become a more frequent way of responding to the simpler enquiries, resulting in a quicker response time and improved service to the customer.
Written responses will also still be used in some cases. The increase in the number of response options will therefore streamline the process making a more efficient use of time for both Planning Officers and customers.
The benefits of obtaining pre-application advice should not be underestimated and the Development Control team strives to ensure that it offers the best possible advice prior to the submission of a planning application. However, this can be dependent on the quality of the information initially received and therefore the new pre-application process will focus partly on this aspect.
Information on the pre-application process can be found at www.gov.gg/planningandbuilding
